P3190 Poor engine power on Toyota and Lexus hybrids

P3190 poor engine power / engine will not start (Prius)

P3190 in short

On Toyota and Lexus hybrids, P3190 means Poor Engine Power: the gasoline engine is not making the power the computer expects or will not start. Causes include a dirty air flow sensor or throttle body, a separated purge-valve line, or software. Get it checked soon, and do not keep cranking a car that will not start.

P3190 is a Toyota hybrid code that Toyota and Lexus bulletins define as Poor Engine Power. It is about the gasoline engine, not the hybrid battery: the computer saw the engine fail to deliver power or fail to start and logged the fault, often with P3191 (engine does not start) and P0A0F (engine failed to start).

Toyota has issued several bulletins. On the 2010-2013 Prius and 2011-2013 CT 200h, a purge valve line that separates from the throttle body lets in unmetered air; the fix is a new purge valve and an engine computer update. On the 2016-2018 RX 450h and 2017-2018 Highlander Hybrid, the code can set at high altitude and high temperature and the engine computer logic was changed.

On older 2001-2009 Prius, a dirty throttle body, a dirty air flow sensor and a failing fuel pump are common causes. Other makes use the same code number differently: a GM bulletin lists P3190 among cylinder-deactivation codes on trucks, so this page speaks only for Toyota and Lexus.

Pick your make

P3190 is a manufacturer-specific code: its meaning depends on who built the car.

Other makes: meaning not verified. Check with a scan tool that reads manufacturer definitions.

Most likely causes

  1. Purge valve line separated from the throttle body

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Toyota T-SB-0041-15 and Lexus L-SB-0019-15 name a separated purge VSV/PCV line behind P0A0F with P3190 on 2010-2013 Prius and 2011-2013 CT 200h.
    What would change this
    Rises on those models if P0A0F, P3191 or P0171 are stored too. Falls on other years.
    How to test the evap canister purge valve

  2. Engine computer logic (high altitude, high heat)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Toyota T-SB-0056-18 and Lexus L-SB-0023-18 changed the engine computer logic for P3190 on 2016-2018 RX 450h and 2017-2018 Highlander Hybrid.
    What would change this
    Rises if the code appeared at altitude or in high heat on these models. Falls otherwise.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

  3. Dirty throttle body or air flow sensor (older Prius)

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    CarSpecMN lists throttle varnish, especially after the 12-volt battery was disconnected, and a contaminated air flow sensor on 2001-2009 Prius.
    What would change this
    Rises if the code followed a battery change or air filter job. Falls if both are clean.
    How to test the electronic throttle body

  4. Failing fuel pump (2001-2003 Prius)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    CarSpecMN says a failing pump on 2001-2003 models may not give enough fuel pressure, and Toyota ran a warranty extension for P3190 with information code 204 on 2001-2003 Prius.
    What would change this
    Rises if the engine cranks but will not run on that age of car. Falls on newer cars.
    How to test the fuel pump

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all codes and note P0A0F, P3191 or P0171 with P3190, and the model year.

    Low risk

  2. Have the throttle body, air flow sensor and fuel pressure checked.

    Use cautionTool: scan tool, fuel pressure gauge

    Warning:Do not work on orange high-voltage cables or the hybrid battery. Do not crank repeatedly; it drains the high-voltage battery.

Symptoms

  • Master warning, hybrid and check engine lights on together
  • Gasoline engine will not start or lacks power Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Car runs only briefly on the electric motor

How to fix

  1. If the car will not start, do not keep cranking; wait and call a shop.

    Warning:Repeated cranking drains the high-voltage battery and can be mistaken for a failed battery.

Parts and cost context

  • EVAP canister purge valve:Toyota bulletins replace the purge VSV for the line-separation case. Labor varies; get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Toyota

  • 2010–2013 · Prius

    Supported by vehicle data

    Toyota T-SB-0041-15 ties P3190 with P0A0F to a separated purge valve line, fixed by a purge valve replacement and engine computer update. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 2001–2005 · Prius

    Supported by vehicle data

    Toyota bulletins 01103 and 02704 list P3190 with the hybrid, master warning and check engine lights on the 2001-2005 Prius. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 2017–2018 · Highlander

    Supported by vehicle data

    Toyota T-SB-0056-18 changed the engine computer logic for P3190 at high altitude and heat on the Highlander Hybrid. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 01103Status unverified

    Master, hybrid and MIL on with P3190, P3191, P3101

    2001–2003prius · NHTSA 10003359

    Summary only; repair not stated.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 02704Status unverified

    MIL on with P3191, P3190 and/or P0A0F

    2004–2005prius · NHTSA 10010308

    Summary only; supersedes EG027-04.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • TSB-0205-11REV-1Status unverified

    P0A0F, P3190, P3191, engine computer logic revised

    2010–2011prius · NHTSA 10044581

    Engine computer logic was revised.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • T-SB-0041-15Status unverified

    P0A0F with P3190, purge VSV/PCV line separation

    2010–2013prius, prius-v · NHTSA 10111144

    Replace the purge VSV and reprogram the engine computer.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • T-SB-0056-18Status unverified

    P3190 at high altitude and high temperature

    2017–2018highlander · NHTSA 10143923

    Engine computer logic changed.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Lexus

  • 2016–2018 · RX

    Supported by vehicle data

    Lexus L-SB-0023-18 changed the engine computer logic for P3190 on the RX 450h; L-SB-0155-11 covers 2010-2013 RX 450h with information code 204. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 2011–2013 · CT

    Supported by vehicle data

    Lexus L-SB-0019-15 ties P3190 with P0A0F to a separated purge valve line on the CT 200h. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • L-SB-0019-15Status unverified

    P0A0F with P3190, purge VSV/PCV line separation (CT 200h)

    2011–2013ct · NHTSA 10111152

    Replace the purge VSV and reprogram the engine computer.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • L-SB-0155-11 RevStatus unverified

    P3190 and P0A0F with information code 204 (RX 450h)

    2010–2013rx · NHTSA 10133806

    Follow the bulletin repair procedure.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • L-SB-0023-18Status unverified

    P3190 at high altitude and high temperature (RX 450h)

    2016–2018rx · NHTSA 10146008

    Engine computer logic changed.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0171Engine computer has reached its limit adding fuel on bank 1: the mixture is lean

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Toyota T-SB-0041-15 lists P0171 with P3190 when the purge line separates and lets unmetered air into the throttle body.

All Hybrid and electric drive codes

P3190 questions

Does P3190 mean the hybrid battery has failed?

No. It is a gasoline engine fault. Repeated cranking can drain the high-voltage battery, though, so do not keep trying to start.

Sources and review

  1. T-SB-0041-15: P0A0F with P3190 Poor Engine Power (Prius) — Toyota Motor Sales
  2. T-SB-0056-18: P3190 Poor Engine Power (Highlander Hybrid) — Toyota Motor Sales
  3. 2001-2009 Prius P3191 P3190 P0A0F quick checks — CarSpecMN
  4. L-SB-0019-15: P0A0F with P3190 (CT 200h) — Lexus
  5. L-SB-0023-18: P3190 Poor Engine Power (RX 450h) — Lexus
  6. T-SB-0205-11: P0A0F, P3190, P3191 (2010-2011 Prius) — Toyota Motor Sales
  7. EG027-04: MIL on with P3191, P3190 and/or P0A0F (2004-2005 Prius) — Toyota Motor Sales
  8. Fault code P3190 (Lexus) — TAT scan data library
  9. PIP5801: possible broken valve spring with P3190 among cylinder-deactivation codes — General Motors
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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